Politics in need of an overhaul
THURSDAY, 02 FEBRUARY 2012 02:01
Caroline Zentner
lethbridge herald
czentner@lethbridgeherald.com
NDP MP Nathan Cullen has taken some flack for his idea of joining forces with the Liberals in the next election but he's determined to stand tall for a different kind of politics in Canada.
The British Columbia politician from Smithers is one of eight candidates vying for the party leadership. He said he believes the "wedge politics" being practised now only serve to divide Canadians.
"I've also said we've got to change the way that we're doing politics. It's awfully negative. It's awfully discouraging and Canadians are feeling shut out of the conversation. I think we need to bring them back in," he said. "I've talked about running campaigns in a completely different way where we start co-operating and working with other parties."
Cullen, who was at the University of Lethbridge Wednesday to speak at a special session of the Southern Alberta Council on Public Affairs, is proposing that NDP riding associations in Conservative-held seats have the option of getting together with other parties and jointly nominating a candidate to run under one banner and take on the incumbent Conservative. That would help prevent a candidate coming into power with only 35 per cent of the votes.
"We have a voting system that doesn't work," he said during an interview before his scheduled evening session.
For the rest of this story, go here:
http://www.lethbridgeherald.com/local-news/politics-in-need-of-an-overhaul-2212.html
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NOTICE OF A SPECIAL SESSION JOINTLY HOSTED BY: SACPA-on-Campus and U of L Wednesday, February 1, 2012 1st Choice Saving Centre, U of L Room PE264 from 7-9 pm
Who Will Be the New Leader of Canada’s Official Opposition Party?
Speaker: Nathan Cullen
More than seven years ago, the people of Skeena-Bulkley Valley, BC elected Nathan Cullen as their voice in Parliament. He believes
the Stephen Harper “divide and conquer” style of ruling Canada is not in our best interest and that a new approach to politics is needed. Therefore, Nathan Cullen entered his name into the NDP leadership race September 2011 in his desire to build on Jack Layton’s vision for leadership in Canada.
Nathan Cullen’s life and political experience has made him understand there is more that unites Canadians than keeps us apart. While he is the longest-serving MP running for leader, his road to Parliament took him about as far away from Ottawa as you can get.
Nathan grew up in Toronto and attended university in Peterborough and Waterloo, Ontario. After graduating, he worked abroad, in Africa and South America where he learned French and Spanish, helping communities come together—by establishing women’s shelters, financial services and the basic infrastructure most Canadians take for granted.
After returning to Canada, Nathan settled in Smithers, a town of about 6,000 people in beautiful northwestern British Columbia. There, he started a successful small business that took him across B.C., working with First Nations, government, not-for-profit organizations and other businesses. Through this, he learned the value and effectiveness of working together to create solutions.
In 2003, Nathan decided he’d heard enough from his local Conservative MP. So he ran for the NDP in the Skeena—Bulkley Valley riding, which is nearly the size of Norway. He won the 2004 election, making him the only leadership candidate to defeat a Tory MP. By working with others, and taking a new approach to politics, Nathan has increased his winning margin in each of the three elections since.
In Parliament, Nathan enjoys a reputation of being able to work with MPs of many political stripes. The NDP’s former environment and natural resources critic, he introduced the bill that led to the only serious, all-party discussion of a real plan to fight climate change. When the NDP became the official opposition, Nathan was named chair of the Commons committee on ethics.
Nathan lives in Smithers, with his wife Diana, and twin sons, Isaac and Elliot.
Moderator: Bev Muendel-Atherstone
Date: Wednesday, February 1, 2012
Time: 7:00 – 9:00 pm
Location: University of Lethbridge, 1st Choice Saving Centre, Room PE264
Free event: Refreshments provided
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NOTICE OF A SPECIAL SESSION JOINTLY HOSTED BY: SACPA-on-Campus and U of L
Monday, January 9, 2012 1st Choice Saving Centre, U of L Room PE264 from 7-9 pm
Who Will Be the New Leader of the Federal New Democratic Party?
Niki Ashton, MP for Churchill, will speak about her bid for the federal NDP leadership and what she will bring to the leadership of the Official Opposition. She will define why the NDP needs a young, dynamic, multilingual leader if we are to grow the party into Canada's next government.
As part of the "Layton generation" of young New Democrats, Ashton focuses on new ways of doing politics. She will speak to SACPA about increasing equality, the Canadian Wheat Board, diversity, and involving young people and women in politics.
First elected in 2008 at age 25, Niki Ashton was the youngest woman in the 40th Parliament. This year, she led the fight against dismantling the Canadian Wheat Board, as the end of the CWB will have far-reaching consequences for the Port of Churchill, her own riding. Niki was elected as the Chair of the House of Commons Standing Committee on the Status of Women in the current Parliament.
A former instructor with University College of the North, Ashton has an MA in International Affairs (Carleton University) and a BA in Global Political Economy (University of Manitoba). She is completing her PhD in Peace and Conflict Studies at the Art Mauro Centre at the
University of Manitoba. Niki is fluent in four languages: English, French, Spanish and Greek, her mother-tongue, and she have studied four others.
Niki lives with her partner, Ryan Barker, in the city of Thompson, Manitoba, where she was born and raised. A lifelong Manitoba New Democrat, Ashton's father was an NDP cabinet
Minister in the Manitoba provincial Government.
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Moderator: Shannon Phillips
Date: Monday, January 9, 2012
Time: 7:00 – 9:00 pm
Location: University of Lethbridge, 1st Choice Saving Centre, Room PE264
Free event: Refreshments provided
Directions: Turn left at the first set of lights and then right at the next set of lights into the large parking lot. After 5 p.m. one can park anywhere in the large lot. PE 264 is in the Wellness Centre. You’re looking for the large building at the South end of the large parking lot (Lot G on the UofL’s Map)
This second map has been modified to show PE264 which is near the Main Gym and Tim Hortons.
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December 10, 2011:
NDP Leadership Hopeful Has Impressive Resumé
Caroline Zentner
Lethbridge Herald
As the first aboriginal person to run for the leadership of a major federal political party,
Romeo Saganash stopped in Lethbridge Friday to bolster growing membership in the
New Democratic Party in southern Alberta.
"I think it's important for us to encourage that momentum that we see here.
Us candidates have also a responsibility to make sure that this party continues to grow,"
he said during his visit at the Aboriginal Council of Lethbridge.
Saganash is a Quebec MP (Abitibi - Baie James - Nunavik - Eeyou), an area which comprises
53 per cent of Quebec's land mass and is the second-largest riding in the country.
"I'm trying to replace Jack (Layton) by running as one of the nine candidates running in this race," he said.
(For the rest of the story, use the link above, or here.)
A very lively group of about 25 NDP supporters joined Romeo at the Round Street Café later on on Friday. 
Romeo Saganash discusses issues at the the Round Street Cafe.
Photo Courtesy of Shannon Phillips.
We are looking forward to visits by other NDP Leadership candidates in the near future.
